Role of Architecture in Achieving Animal Welfare

DISSERTATION REPORT
November 2022
Role of Architecture in Achieving Animal Welfare
SUBMITTED BY: GUIDED BY:

Himanshi Jaitly Ar, Anand Dhote
(GCAD/18/315)
Gateway College of Architecture & Design, Sonipat | Dissertation Manual 2022
GATEWAY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND

DESIGN
DECLARATION
I, Himanshi Jaitly, Roll Number, GCAD/18/315 hereby declare that the dissertation
titled Role of Architecture in Achieving Animal Welfare submitted by me, in partial
fulfillment of the requirement of the curriculum of Bachelor of Architecture as per the
university norms, to Gateway College of Architecture and Design is a record of my
original work with credits given for information collected from any other source.
Himanshi Jaitly
i
GATEWAY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND

DESIGN
CERTIFICATE
This it to clarify that the dissertation titled Role of Architecture in Achieving Animal
Welfare, submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement of the curriculum of Bachelor
of Architecture is the work of Himanshi Jaitly, Roll Number GCAD/18/315, who carried
out research work under our research work under our supervision in Gateway College of
Architecture and Design, Sonipat, Haryana,
We recommend that the dissertation report be placed before the examiners for their
consideration.
Ar, Anand Dhote Ar. Vinod Patel
Signature of the Guide Signature of the coordinator
ii
Dedication
I dedicate my dissertation work to my family. First, I am thankful to my parents for their
support and love throughout. They not only gave me financial and emotional support but
instilled in me a tireless work ethic and persistent determination to be whatever I wanted
to be in without limitations. In addition, my sister, who is the pillar of strength in my life
and supported me throughout completing this dissertation. I also dedicate my work to my
friends for their constant support throughout
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Acknowledgments
I wish to first acknowledge and thank my guide Ar. Anand Dhote for his continuous
support, valuable advice, and time throughout the process of research. In accomplishing
this research, I would like to thank my coordinator Ar. Vinod Patil for his
recommendations and contributions. I am also grateful to my friends Gurusha Mengi,
Pooja Verma, and Shivangi Kapoor for helping and motivating me throughout the
research work. A very special thanks to the people I met on online studies for their support
and views on the subject.
I want to deeply and courteously thank all the authorities and people of the various
background that I covered as part of my case studies without whom my research would
have been impossible.
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Table of Contents
List of Figures
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………….(01)
CHAPTERS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ (03-09)
1.1 Introduction and Background
1.2 Definitions and Meaning of the Important Parameters
1.3 Significance of the project
1.4 Research question(s)
1.5 The Central Claim/ Hypothesis
1.6 The Aim and Objectives of the Research
1.7 The Scope and Limitations of the Research
1.8 Methodology
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................ (11-23)
2.1 Purpose of Literature Review
2.2 Categorization of Literature
2.3 Collating the Literature Review: The Final Understanding
CHAPTER 3: METHODS AND METHODOLOGY........................................ (25-30)
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Method(s) opted for Data Collection with Justification
3.3 Method(s) opted for Data Analysis with Justification
3.4 Advantages and Limitations of the method(s) adopted
CHAPTER 4: CASE STUDY DATA PRESENTATION .................................. (31-49)
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Case 1: Hathigaon, Jaipur
4.3 Case 2: Pols Of Ahmedabad
4.4 Case 3: Karma Animal Shelter, Sohna Road, Gurgaon

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4.5 Case 4: Michigan Animal Rescue League
4.6 Case 4: Panda House Observation Zoo, Denmark, And National Zoological
Park, Delhi
4.7 Conclusion
CHAPTER 5: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION ................................................ (47-55)
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Strengths and limitations of the collected data
5.3 Visual representation of the data
5.4 Cause and effect relationship
5.5 Final Comments
CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION ............................................................................. (61-66)
6.1 Summary
6.1.1 The Central Claim
6.1.2 Recapitulation of Research Question and its Significance
6.1.3 Answer the research questions and hypothesis
6.2 Research Inference and its Significance
6.3 The future Research Possibilities
6.4 The future Research projects
Appendix………………………………………………………………………………………(67-68)
Bibliography .......................................................................................................... (69-70)
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List of Figures
Figure 1: Animal Welfare ............................................................................................. (4)
Figure 2: Co-relation of animals and humans ............................................................... (5)
Figure 3: divided relationship between Humans and Animals ................................... (6)
Figure 4: Examples of Animal Architecture a) swift tower, project: menthol architects

b) Bat Tower, project: Ants of the Prairie c) Birds Apartment, Jaipur ........................ (17)
Figure 5: Maze of Moulds........................................................................................... (17)
Figure 6: Panda House Observation Center, Denmark ............................................... (18)
Figure 7: the picture depicts ideas through schematic sketches on how stray animals
like dogs and cats can ................................................................................................... (19)
Figure 8: a) Sitting spaces for dog and cows b) Apertures and holes for birds c)
Chabutras for birds ..................................................................................................... (20)
Figure 9: Hathigaon, Jaipur ......................................................................................... (20)
Figure 10: Hathigaon, Jaipur (section) ....................................................................... (21)
Figure 11: Birds Apartment, Jaipur ............................................................................ (21)
Figure 12: Five Freedom of Animals .......................................................................... (22)
Figure 13: Explaining research methods and their categorization .............................. (27)
Figure 14: Development of land over the years .......................................................... (36)
Figure 15: Site Plan ..................................................................................................... (37)
Figure 16: Movement Plan of Elephants..................................................................... (38)
Figure 17: a) Cluster plan at Hathigaon b) Plan of Hathi garage ................................ (38)
Figure 18: Segregation of elephant garage and mahouts house .................................. (39)
Figure 19: sequence showing the minimum space an elephant needs ........................ (39)
Figure 20: a) Water body at Hathigaon b) Relationship between the open and built form
...................................................................................................................................... (40)
Figure 21: section displaying the passive strategies applied for designing the dwellings
in reference to the surrounding. ................................................................................... (40)
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Figure 22: Elephant safari boarding .......................................................................... (22)
Figure 23: Dog shelters deigned along with interaction spaces for humans and dog . (42)
Figure 24: Site plan of Karma animal shelter ............................................................. (43)
Figure 25: a) Internal Planning of Shelter b) Exterior Accessible Roofs of Shelter ... (43)
Figure 26: Conceptual Michigan Animal Rescue League ......................................... (44)
Figure 27: Michigan Animal Rescue League ............................................................. (45)
Figure 28: Building Plan, along with colors used in the facade. ................................ (45)
Figure 29: Michigan Animal dog care area ................................................................ (46)
Figure 30: Spaces designed for cats ............................................................................ (46)
Figure 31: Resting Spaces designed for cats ............................................................. (47)
Figure 32: Site Plan ..................................................................................................... (47)
Figure 33: Site Plan ..................................................................................................... (47)
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Gateway College of Architecture and Design | Dissertation 2022
ABSTRACT
Animals have been a part of this society since forever and their needs have been sacrificed
in order to provide various services to human beings like entertainment, fodder,
transportation etc. Places like zoos and aquariums have been exploiting these animals for
revenue generation and interaction of humans with animals where they are captivated in
cages. Similarly, the animal shelters have been lacking in achieving the basic essential
needs such as psychological, physical, behavioral, hunger but most importantly the need
of a habitable built environment. The role of architecture in achieving animal welfare is
a process that revolves around how these built environments can be enhanced to make it
a habitable space for the animals. It helps in understanding how spaces can be designed
so that the animal receives a natural habitat for their living with fulfilling needs of love
and affection in a shelter, a space designed according to their behavioral response, and
replicated natural environment in zoos.
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CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION
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Figure 1 Animal Welfare

Source: https://www.thesprucepets.com/dog-adoption-4162144
“Architecture arises out of our need to shelter the human animal in a spatial environment
and to enclose the social animal in a group space. In this sense, architecture serves our
institutions and expresses the values of our culture.”1
— Robert L. Geddes
1
https://quotefancy.com/quote/1737017/Robert-L-Geddes-Architecture-arises-out-of-our-need-to-shelter-the-
human-animal-in-a
4|Page
1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction and Background
Since the existence of the Stone Age, Animals and humans have been ever-growing
together in the environment without disturbing each other’s habitat. However, with the
overgrown population over the years of evolution, Humans have been exploiting
resources physically and intellectually for their comfort and development. In urban areas,
humans believe that spaces belong to them and that animals intrude on their spaces.
Whereas, it has always been humans that destroy the land where animals formed their
built environment.
Animal Aided Design is a methodology for designing urban open spaces, the basic
ideology behind it is to design spaces with the presence of animals in the process. It aims
to formulate an equal ratio of population growth at a given project, provoking the union
of urban design with animal conservation around the site. AAD works by identifying a
list of species they can conserve during the beginning of the project and then boundaries
are set for design. This concept can be applied in zoos, aquariums, and animal shelters by
designing them by thinking of animals and their comfort from the beginning of the project
and not restricting them to spaces like a square enclosed room.
An animal is indicated to be in a good state when it is healthy, well-nourished, safe,

comfortable, vitality, and able to express an inherent behavior, and if they are not
suffering from any pain, distress,
hunger, unhygienic spaces to live in,
fear, or frustration. Architects have
finally started to design the
environment to see animals and
humans as equal assets to society.
Architect Joyce Hwang is one of the
architects who understood the
coexistence of animals with humans,
some examples of which are the bat
tower, bat cloud, etc. That provides a
space for bats and creates a natural but
man-made habitat for them. Another Figure 2 Co-relation of animals and humans
Source: https://www.avma.org/one-health/human-animal-
example is a bird bath which is a bond
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simple intervention in an urban space that has been designed to provide a space for birds.
Zoological parks like Th Kaeng Krachan Elephant park, Zurich. The dome-shaped
skylight acts as a canopy to build a nature-like environment for the animals. Architects
have attempted to redefine spaces like zoos, and aquariums to make them more about
animals and redefine their experiences and needs.
The purpose of this research is to study spaces that define the coexistence of animals with
humans without disturbing the solitude of either. To answer the question “if they can live
together and how?” Architectural interventions are introduced and practiced to
understand and achieve the core meaning of Animal Welfare and Animal Aided Design.
Architecture can play an important part in achieving animal welfare through some
enrichments that can help the animal fight against the problems caused in the spaces like
zoos and animal shelters. Enrichments can have various forms but the Association of zoos
and aquariums define them as:
• Environmental enrichment
• Habitat enrichment
• Sensory enrichment
• Food enrichment
• Social grouping
Figure 3 divided relationship between Humans and Animals

Source- Author
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Another important factor that affects the health and living conditions of animals is the
built environment as it is directly proportional to the well-being and health of animals.
Elements like space, light, material, and maintenance shape the spaces of zoos and
aquariums making them habitable. Hence, architecture should meet the comfort, safety,
and health of animals to truly achieve animal welfare.
1.2 Definitions and Meaning of the Important Parameters

1.2.1 Animal Welfare – Animal welfare means not only disease management and
treatment but also ensuring an environment suitable for the needs and behavioral patterns
of animals. Over time, we have learned that many veterinary problems stem from poor
animal welfare standards. Prevention is better than cure, and prevention is about the
welfare of livestock to improve their productivity and ensure their health.
It is about understanding the living conditions of animals and how they can be surpassed
to achieve their comfort, health, and safety. It can be defined as their psychological,
mental, and physical state. Shelters, veterinary clinics, rehabilitation, and treatment
centers are such examples of practicing animal welfare. The most important factor of
animal welfare is Built Environment that forms the foundation for the animals. The basic
requirement of food, shelter, and care.
1.2.2 Human-animal relationship- The relationship between people and animals is

mutually beneficial and dynamic, and it is influenced by actions necessary for both
parties' safety and well-being. This involves interactions between people, animals, and
the environment on an emotional, psychological, and physical level.
1.2.3 Animal shelter- an establishment, maintained by NGOs or local authorities that
provides a temporary shelter/ home for dogs, cats, and other animals. They are used for
the adoption of animals, used as a stud farm/ dairy, etc.
1.2.4 Rehabilitation- rehabilitation refers to returning of human beings/ animals to a
healthy life after a trauma or disability.
1.2.5 Animal Architecture- Understanding the functions and requirements for the
construction of animal homes. Providing them with sustainable solutions to lead a
healthy life.
Building and constructing an environment for animals to reshape their living environment
by creating structures that meet the basic living requirement and provide them with
hygiene, shelter, and food.
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1.2.6 Zoo – A zoo is a place where animals, particularly wild animals, are maintained
so that visitors can go see them and learn about them. It is a form of an exhibition such
as a museum where people come for their entertainment and to look out at various
animals caged in an inhabitable state.
1.3 Significance of the project

This new era of architecture has not just been about humans but has also been constantly
evolving for animals. Whether it is about looking at the architecture of animals in shelters,
zoo enclosures, or their treatment and rehabilitation centers. The design depends on three
aspects which are scale, experience, and environment. The research will be focusing on
architectural elements that have been reinventing these spaces for a better animal
experience and if they have succeeded in it or not. It will answer the questions like “can
animals coexist in the human-made environment for them?” and “can there be a
comfortable, safe environment for animals in zoos, animal shelters, and aquarium
centers?”.
1.4 Research question(s)

• Is the animal architecture practiced relevant to accomplish animal welfare?
1.5 The Central Claim/ Hypothesis

The guiding belief of the study is the implementation of architectural practices in order
to provide comfort, health, and a safe built, and open environment for animals.
The hypothesis of the research is to claim the importance of the role of architecture in
achieving animal welfare.
1.6 The Aim and Objectives of the Research

1.6.1 Aim
To understand how architecture can play its part in achieving animal welfare and well-
being
1.6.2 Objectives
• To study Animal aided design that can improve the architecture for animals in
places like shelters and zoos.
• To understand how animals, adapt to man-made environments.
• Learning the need for architectural spaces for animals and their importance in
today’s world.
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• To research applied applications of different elements changing the emotions of

animals in space.
1.7 The Scope and Limitations of the Research

1.7.1 Scope
• The research will study how architects have achieved a safe, comfortable
environment for animals or if they have not been able to.
• The term “coexistence of animals with humans” includes the coexistence of them
in zoos, aquariums, and shelters where they can interact at a certain level. Spaces
that can shelter them and can be made better through architecture.
• The research will explore various elements to improve the living conditions of
animals in urban areas by redefining spaces like animal shelters, zoos, wildlife
sanctuaries, and common public spaces.
1.7.2 Limitation
• Biodiversity and wildlife conservations serve a larger organization and purpose
which is why you will find different kinds of life there like animals, plants, fungi,
etc. which cannot be covered in this research due to complexities.
• In wildlife centuries, migration by birds takes place throughout the year thus their
architectural implementation is not taken into consideration in this research paper.
1.8 Methodology
Understanding Animal Welfare and the need for

animals in the environment along with humans.
Literature review to understand the existing

application of architecture in such spaces.
Case studies to describe current scenarios through

primary and secondary data collection.
Discussion on how architecture can achieve the

well-being of animals through its elements
In conclusion, architecture should be an integral

part of animal welfare and well-being or not.
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CHAPTER-2
LITERATURE REVIEW
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2 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Purpose of Literature Review
The literature reviews help in providing insight into the already-known facts about animal
welfare. It helps us in establishing familiarity and understanding of current research in
the particular field of animal welfare, animal architecture, and architecture for achieving
animal welfare. It will help us identify what is unknown in our topic and what
contributions can be done in the research for future studies.
2.2 Categorization of Literature

2.2.1
Sr. Name of the Literature Publisher data/ Relevant Description
No. Literature Category URL pages
1 Architecture for Research IOP Conference All Pages Role of

animals: the paper Series: Earth and architecture in
expanding Environmental improving
challenges of Science animal health
sustainable through Built
development Environment
2 Hathi Gaon by Online https://www.re- Whole Architecture

Rahul Mehrotra: Article thinkingthefuture.co Article for animals, A
An unusual m/case- relevant case
village studies/a3296-hathi- study
gaon-by-rahul-
mehrotra-an-unusual-
village/#:~:text=Hath
i%20Gaon%20%E2
%80%93%20Jaipur
%2C%20Rajasthan&
text=RMA%20Archi
tects%20won%20the
%20said,guides%20o
r%20for%20tourist%
20attractions.
3 Pols of Online https://anu.edu.in/cen Whole Design

Ahmedabad Article tres/writing-and- Article Features
communication- inculcated in
studio/pols-of- facades of
ahmedabad-the- houses for
gates-that-welcome- animals to rest
animals/ and have
shaded spaces.
https://www.modode
signs.co.in/blog-
detail/pol-of-
ahmedabad/
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4 Unique 7-Storey Online https://www.india.co Whole Design

Tower to Provide Article m/viral/viral-news- Article Concept for
Amenities for unique-7-storey- Birds
Birds tower-to-provide- Architecture
amenities-for-birds-
rajasthans-nagaur-
viral-pics-5206244/
5 Karma Animal Blog • https://thearchitec Whole Dog Shelter,

Shelter: “Maze of tsdiary.com/karm Article Design
Moulds”. Ant a-animal-shelter- Concept
Studio ant-studio/
• https://www.mgs
architecture.in/ar
chitecture-
design/projects/2
517-maze-of-
moulds.html
6 Guidelines for Research RSPCA International Page No. Animal needs

design and Paper Guidelines 3 and required
management of freedom
animal shelters concepts
7 Redefining Thesis Sabrina Nagel, Page 1-23 Theories of

Shelter: Fostering Report Master of human-animal
Human/Canine Architecture 2018 interaction
Relationships
Through A New
Typology
8 Architectural Research International Journal Page 638- Human–

Implications for Paper of Scientific 642 Animal
Dogs Research and Interrelationsh
Management ip
(IJSRM)
||Volume||09||Issue||0
4||Pages||SH-2021-
636-642||2021||
9 A Humane Thesis A Thesis Submitted Page 29- Concepts of

Landscape: Report to the Graduate 62 spaces
Reconnecting Faculty of The designed for
People and University of animals
Animals Through Georgia in Partial
Case Studies
Landscape Design Fulfillment of the
for animal
for An Animal Requirements for the
shelter
Shelter Degree Master of
Landscape
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Architecture Athens,
Georgia
by DA ZHANG
9 An overview of Blog https://blog.ipleaders. All pages Animal rights

animal protection in/overview-animal- for animal
laws in India protection-laws- welfare
india/#Right_against
_display_for_entertai
nment
2.2.2 Animal Welfare
Animal welfare is a circle that describes an animal’s health, safety, comfort, and living
conditions. It is the essential need of every animal living in the wild or urban areas for
basic living. It is the physical, mental, and psychological health of an animal. Ensuring
animal welfare is a human responsibility that includes consideration for all aspects of
animal well-being, including proper housing, management, nutrition, disease prevention
and treatment, responsible care, and humane handling.
It may vary from animal to animal depending on the needs and care by taking on these
animals. For example, a pet animal’s welfare is achieved with the security, and health
comfort provided by their owners. There have been several interventions by animal lovers
in society such as fully equipped vans for animal grooming, animal crutches, and
veterinary clinics which have increased in society after COVID-19 due to increased
demand for pet animals. Still, there is a huge difference in the built environment of stray
animals as compared with pets. This can be explained with an example of an article in
which a society Dwarka sector 6, New Delhi stray dogs are found very commonly. It has
been observed there that stray dogs since have the potential to spreading rabies are not
considered a part of society or are treated nicely as compared to the pet dogs who have
been sterilized by their owners. There are many such examples of different places where
animal welfare is not considered in terms of stray or wild animals in zoos.
Many organizations work for animal welfare by providing shelters, rehabilitation, and
treatment centers for stray animals like dogs, cats, cows, etc., and spread awareness across
the world that animals are as essential as human beings and how they should be provided
the same level of comfort as provided to humans. Such organizations are PETA, PFA,
Blue cross of India, (SAFI) Stray Animal Foundation of India, etc.
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• PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) & PFA (People for
Animals India)
The largest animal rights organization in the world, PETA, is dedicated to advancing
the status of animals in society, protecting them from abuse, and preventing their
exploitation as food or merchandise. They covertly work to provide animal shelters and
rehabilitation facilities. They produce commercials and street performances to raise
awareness of animal rights and to demonstrate the harm done to animals.
PFA aims towards being the center of excellence for animal care, with a specialization in
urban wildlife. The initial goal was to increase public awareness of animal rights and
welfare; however, more recently, efforts have been focused on saving and rehabilitating
animals who have been hurt, abandoned, or driven from their natural habitats.
• Blue Cross of India
Blue cross of India is an NGO that rescues, rehabilitates, and works for animal welfare.
Their main focus is on animal birth control surgeries, rescuing animals in distress,
adoption, and fostering, mobile hospital & vet on wheels, Animal shelters, and Animal
crematoriums.
The animal shelter designed by them separates animal shelters for geriatric dogs,
abandoned dogs, orphaned street pups and kittens, cattle, horses, donkeys, and pigs. The
hospitals designed for animals also are rehabilitation centers for animals in distress.
• Legal rights in India for animal protection and welfare
According to the article “various laws for the protection of animals in India” by Ankita
Jangid and Nikunj Arora, animal rights are about understanding that animals have
interests that cannot be abandoned for the sake of human beings. Animal rights claim
that animals should not be used as food, clothing, entertainment, experimentation, etc.
whereas when concerned about animal welfare these practices are fair when standard
care is taken. (Jangid & Arora, 2022)2
▪ Right of preservation
According to Directive Principles of State Policy, Article 48 the state should
organize and build animal husbandry agriculture with modern and scientific
2
https://blog.ipleaders.in/overview-animal-protection-laws-india/ (Jangid & Arora, 2022)An overview of animal
protection laws in India , Document accessed on 11/09/2022
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technologies to preserve animals and improve their breed such as cows, calves, and
other milk and beef cattle as they are considered religious and their slaughter
jeopardize the religious beliefs in India.
▪ Right to life
According to article 21 of The Indian Constitution, the Supreme court ruled in favor
of animals under this article in the case of Animal welfare Board of India v.
Nagaraja and Ors. (2014) that every animal has the right to life.
▪ Right to sufficient food, drink, and shelter
Under section 11 (1)(h) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 any pet
owner keeping their pet chained or deprived of food and shelter will be considered
animal cruelty. This can lead to a punishable offense of 3 months and a sentence to
jail time by the court.
▪ No animals should be kept in a cage
Section 11(1) e of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 states that no
animal should be kept in a cage (pet or stray) because it causes them unbearable
suffering and pain. This practice can only be continued if the cage or container is
large, wide, tall, and open for the animal to be able to breathe and move
comfortably.
▪ Right against display for entertainment
Section 22 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, of 1960 states that no
animal should be used for display for entertainment. According to the law, no
animal should be trained or exhibited for human entertainment if it is being
practiced then one must have legal documentation from the government. This legal
document can be explained when people open crutches and pet centers for animal
training for better behavior.
▪ Nobody other than the local authorities cab capture or relocate stray animals
that have been surgically sterilized for birth control and spreading rabies
According to Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, which are also notified
under the PCA Act, 1960, no animal can be relocated or captured to relocate if they
have been surgically sterilized for birth control and prevention of rabies. In
addition, it is the responsibility of the local authorities to make sure that the stray
animals which have been sterilized are returned to their local territories.
▪ Right of compassion
According to The Indian Constitution article 51A (g), humans must protect wildlife,
and have solitude for all living creatures.
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2.2.3 Animal Architecture
Architecture can play an important part in achieving animal welfare through some
enrichments that can help the animal fight against the problems caused in the spaces like
zoos and animal shelters. Designing and evolving these spaces for the enrichment of
animals can help architects can reach comfortable, healthy, and safe spaces for animals.
Figure 4 Examples of Animal Architecture

a) swift tower, project: menthol architects b) Bat Tower, project: Ants of the Prairie c) Birds Apartment,
Jaipur
Maze of Moulds, Karma Animal Foundation, a holistic shelter for stray animals,
Gurgaon
A project that combines modern design with consideration for the comfort of the animals.
The site's layout has been done to reduce human interference with the animal-only micro
community as much as possible. The architect wanted to make the design resemble a dog
kennel to give canines a sense of their home.
Figure 5 Maze of Moulds

Source: http://ant.studio/karma
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• Panda House Observation Centre, Denmark
Zoos have never been habitable, comfortable homes for animals and have never been
successful in achieving animal welfare. The rapid increase in the death of animals in the
National Zoological Park, Delhi is an example of how zoos have been depleting in
providing animal welfare. There are still practices going on to enlarge the viewpoint of
view and convert them into a habitable comfortable, safe, and healthy environment for
animals. Such an example is the Panda House Observation Center.
The architects, Bjarke Ingles Group aim to reimagine the concept of the zoo, which they
achieved by keeping elements like no cages instead of open spaces for animals to relate
more to their habitat and more integration with the landscape. They tried to have human-
animal interaction on a natural level for which they designed restaurants between the
panda house and the elephant enclosure so that the visitors can observe both
Figure 6 Panda House Observation Center, Denmark

Source: https://www.archdaily.com/927643/panda-house-big
• Architectural implications for dogs (Anjali V. Narad, 2021)3
The study is about how designing spaces for dogs can strengthen their relationships with
humans and the environment. There are various examples through which spaces designed
for animals can increase their social interaction with humans, for example, the figure
3
Architectural Implications for Dogs, 2021- Research paper accessed on 14/09/2022
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below shows a dog dwelling designed in a way that the dogs can enjoy fresh air, and
direct sunlight and can also interact with humans without harming them
Figure 7 the picture depicts ideas through schematic sketches on how stray animals like dogs and
cats can
Source: Architectural Implications for Dogs Research Paper
2.2.4 Architecture for Animal Welfare

Architecture practiced for animal welfare can be described through various examples that
have been already constructed by various architects like Bjarke Ingles, Raj Mehrotra,
Joyce Hwang, Ant Studio, etc. Architecture for Animals
• Architecture for animals: the expanding challenges of sustainability (Maulana,

2018)4
The study focused on what is animal welfare and if architecture can be utilized primarily
for the natural aspect aside from humans such as animals. Sustainability is an important
part of any aspect of the welfare of society and has been divided into several goals to
achieve. The author focuses on goal number 17 which is “Good health and well-being”
and if it’s just about the well-being of humans. Can there be optimal conditions for
animals to channel their true natural behaviors? The author related all these aspects with
one big factor that affects health which is the BUILT ENVIRONMENT and how it is
important to not only focus on the built environment for humans but also for animals to
achieve their well-being. The author related the built- environment with “form follows
function” and that each building for animals should meet the minimum requirement of
comfort, safety, and health.
• Pols of Ahmedabad
4
Architecture for animals: the expanding challenges of sustainable development, 2018- article accessed
on 22/08/2022
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Animal-aided design that aims of designing by considering animals as sub-users of space

just like humans is a practice slowly being adopted by architects to have a universal
design. Such an example of a study is “Pols of Ahmedabad” where the people have been
treating stray dogs, cats, cattle, and birds as a part of their urban settlement. The
architecture of the houses has a variety of elements that are animal sensitive including
birds. One such example is that on the outer façade of some buildings small-carved
apertures and holes have been provided for birds and squirrels, which not only provides
them shelter but also protects them from larger birds. Chabutras made up of carved stone
and wood can be found in many courtyards. For dogs and cattle, the houses have space
on the outer façade to protect them from the heat and rain. Such strategies practiced by
the architects and maintained by the people for animals can accomplish animal welfare.
Figure 8 a) Sitting spaces for dog and cows b) Apertures and holes for birds c) Chabutras for birds
Source: https://www.mododesigns.co.in/blog-detail/pol-of-ahmedabad/
• Hathi Gaon by Rahul Mehrotra: An unusual village, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Figure 9 Hathigaon, Jaipur

Source: https://www.designboom.com/architecture/rahul-mehrotra-of-rma-designs-hathigaon-
elephant-village/
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Hathigaon is a village in Jaipur designed for elephants and their Mahouts (caretakers). It
was designed on land that was devastated because of excessive use as a sand quarry by
the local sand suppliers of the area. RMA architects designed garage-like structures where
the elephants are kept. Wide opening on the inner side overlooking the courtyards so that
the mahouts can interact with the elephants throughout the day.
The architect has tried to provide shelter to not just humans but as well as animals that
have been used for transition in Amer Fort, Jaipur. Even though there is a structural barrier
between the elephants and their caretakers for safety purposes, there is visual connectivity
that provides elephants with a sense of connectivity with their owners. Another design
element that was kept in mind is the man-made pool encouraging the bonding between
humans and their elephants.
Figure 10 Hathigaon, Jaipur (section)

Source: https://www.designboom.com/architecture/rahul-mehrotra-of-rma-designs-hathigaon-elephant-
village/
• Birds apartment by Pinjra Pol Goshala, Jaipur, Rajasthan
An innovation by the pinjra pol goshala

in Jaipur to provide a home to almost
2000 birds at a time. Birds apartment is a
6- storey building that was designed to
construct a livable space for birds that
faced issues like falling from the sky due
to the increased heat in the area. It has
multiple gate-like openings acting as an
entrance where the birds can rest along
with the food provided. This project is a
prominent example of providing comfort,
Figure 11 Birds Apartment, Jaipur
Source: https://www.india.com/viral/viral-news- safety, and health for animals for their
unique-7-storey-tower-to-provide-amenities-for-
birds-rajasthans-nagaur-viral-pics-5206244/ welfare.
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• Guidelines for the design and management of animal shelters5

According to the research paper by the RSPCA Centers, animal welfare must take into
consideration five essential elements also known as “freedom”. They are listed below: -
- freedom from hunger and thirst
- freedom from pain, injury, and disease
- freedom from fear and distress
- freedom from discomfort
- freedom to express normal behavior.
Figure 12 Five Freedom of Animals

Source: https://sw-
ke.facebook.com/JohannesburgZoo/photos/a.492197115869/10156129889845870/?type=3
Similarly, they categorized the need to carry out life processes for animals’ comfort.
Which are: -
Physiological needs- examples are food, water, appropriate temperature/ humidity, air
and light conditions, etc.
Social needs- it is about how they prefer to live their lives in solitude, in pair bonds, or
in a group.
5
Guidelines for the design and management of animals shelters, RSPCA International
Source: https://www.icam-coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Shelter-guidelines-English.pdf- Document
accessed on 14/09/2022
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Psychological needs- keeping oneself active and carrying out various activities to
prevent boredom.
Environmental needs- comfortable, safe, healthy built environment.
Behavioral needs- these are their actions and needs at times when they are in
hibernation or nest building, simply going through some changes.
2.3 Collating the Literature Review: The Final Understanding

Animals are and have always been an integral part of society. The government with the
implied laws and regulations for their protection and safety has been proving this fact.
The study gave a view of what is animal welfare to people and to animals. It helped build
a case of if animals and humans can coexist or whether can there be animal-centric
designs. The small ideas such as the birds’ apartment in Jaipur are an example of such an
intervention where animal welfare is achieved by building a space for birds to rest and
get food by the people and be living among them. The literature study helped understand
an overall projection of what has been done and is practiced around the world to achieve
animal welfare whereas there are still some questions that need to be asked and answered
such as the impact of these spaces on the animals which will be studied with the help of
case studies.
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CHAPTER-3
METHODS AND METHODOLOGY
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3 CHAPTER 3: METHODS AND METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction
The main aim of the research is to find answers to animal welfare and animal architecture
and to study the facts that are still unfamiliar to people. To validate the research data is
gathered through various mediums which prove the theory to be positive or negative.
These data are collected by laying down some research methods and methodology
Research methodology is the approach to solving a research topic through the collection
of data using various techniques such as qualitative and quantitative methods. Where
qualitative methods help you develop an understanding and comprehend human and
animal interaction by discovering how animals feel, and behave in the spaces designed
for them. Whereas in quantitative data, the aim is to achieve generalized data that can be
replicated by the researchers.
Qualitative analysis through literature study
• Understanding an animal’s behavior in spaces designed for them keeping their

welfare in mind
• How can animal welfare be achieved?
• Human-animal correlation and coexistence, their behavior, and how they feel
towards each and the space.
• Focus on animal-centric and human-animal-centric designs for understanding and
conducting case studies and surveys for welfare.
Methods are the procedure used in the collection of the data. They can be through
literature study (secondary data) which is through online research papers, books, and
articles, for this research paper the literature study becomes a backbone for understanding
the topic, and field study (primary data) which is collecting information through case
studies and surveys by forming questionnaire that becomes the primary method for
carrying out the ground study and existing scenario in the world.
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Figure 13 Explaining research methods and their categorization

Method(s) opted for Data/ Case selection with its justification
Methods opted for and required for carrying out the research are categorized into two
forms: -
• Primary data collection

• Secondary data collection
Primary data
Primary data is the data collected for the first time by the researcher through surveys,
interactions, preparing questionnaires, and conversations with the primary user of the
focused research question. This method will help the researcher in acquiring all the
relevant knowledge related to the research topic.
Secondary data
The primary form of data selection
Secondary data is the information studied and collected from E-books and books with the
help of research papers, articles, etc. will be used for understanding and forming the
ground for questionnaires and surveys.
The secondary data collection has been the primary source for the data selection in this
research with the help of literature study in the form of studying research papers, articles,
and blogs available on the internet to generate methodologies for data collection. It was
to understand the true meaning of animal welfare and how it is achieved and perceived
by architects and people.
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3.2 Method(s) opted for Data Collection with Justification

Data collection is an important part of the dissertation to answer the research questions.
The data is collected through various sources such as online research papers (published
and unpublished), articles, journals, and books that are within the limitations and scope
of the research topic.
These research papers and articles include case studies (both national and international)
that help to understand the existing application of architecture in animal-aided designs.
They consist of examples, laws, and regulations applied to these places to achieve
animals’ well-being and different interventions invented to achieve the goal of a better
animal-human-nature-centric environment.
• Case study
The main objective of the case study will be to analyze the space after collecting the
secondary data. It will be based on the psychology of animals studied during the literature
review. To study if the animals living there show a positive response towards the place
or not. It will generate data based on the climatic conditions kept in mind while designing
if/ if not. Along with how the architect has approached the space as animal-centric. How
is animal health catered and what is there a definition of animal welfare?
The second method for collecting data is through surveys carried out with the help of a
questionnaire formed by the researcher consisting of various questions which will help
find answers to the research questions. These questions will target certain humans that
are related to the topic and form a sensitive relationship with it, for example, the people
working at an animal shelter or architects designing spaces where animals interact with
humans and live in their natural habitat simultaneously, etc.
Data collection through surveys will be divided into three parts: -
a) How do people perceive animal welfare?

b) What is required for the well-being of animals according to the architects and
laymen?
c) People working in organizations/ NGOs like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment
of Animals), PFA (People for Animals India), and SPCA (Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals, animal shelters, and zoos to understand the on-ground
situation.
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• Questionnaire one
The questionnaire will ask people about their understanding of animal welfare. How an
animal achieves its well-being in human-designed spaces. Is animal welfare only about
providing shelters for animals to stay in? Can zoos be considered a part of welfare? These
questions will be asked through the data generated with the help of a literature study in
the form of MCQs, pictorial questions, range charts, and yes/no format questionnaires
where the people will portray their form of comfort, safety, and, health required for
animals.
• Questionnaire two
This questionnaire will be for both architects and laymen who will have to judge the
design methods applied by architects in achieving animal comfort. These will be in the
form of pictorial representations where different elements of already designs projects will
be put in a form of choosing the following to decide for the people if it’s the right
environment for the animals or not. Questions related to the companionship of humans
and animals will be asked. The importance of architecture in achieving animal welfare
will also be questioned to construct data to answer the hypothesis.
• Questionnaire three
People working in NGOs, shelter homes, and, zoos have a better understanding of how
animals achieve their comfort, safety, and health in an environment and if they are
comfortable in the spaces designed for them along with if it is enough for their well-being.
It will be a qualitative analysis based on opinions and discussions with the people.
Maximum data will be sought to gather the required data for the research.
3.3 Method(s) opted for Data Analysis with Justification
Data analysis is done based on literature studies and case studies where the data
accumulated from different sources is now to be analyzed which are depicted using
forms, flowcharts, surveys, literature reviews, observation tables, etc.
The data selected and collected will be further analyzed to reach the hypothesis asked at
the beginning of the research, which is if architecture plays a role in achieving animal
welfare and how it is perceived in a real-life scenario. This will be a quantitative analysis
where data will be drawn in the form of pie charts and tabular forms to understand how
people achieve and understand animals’ welfare.
3.4 Advantages and Limitations of the method(s) adopted

Advantage
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The data collected through primary and case studies will help find the ideas and concepts
applied in the world to achieve the bare minimum built environment for animals. The
primary data helps in gathering all authentic data from the actual source which are the
people working and studying animals and the need for shelters and spaces which are
animal friendly. Whereas the secondary data helped acquire all the data available on the
internet/ books to form a pattern for the questionnaire. The secondary data will help in
understanding the conclusions that have been drawn and studied by people to understand
the minimum required needs and rights for animals to achieve a well-being stage
Disadvantage
Since the user in this scenario is an animal, the true experience cannot be captured using
primary and secondary data. Therefore, the questionnaire prepared will be for the people
working in animal shelters or animal welfare centers.
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CHAPTER-4
CASE STUDY DATA PRESENTATION
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4 CHAPTER 4: CASE STUDY DATA PRESENTATION

4.1 Introduction
Animal welfare being a wide concept of comfort, health, and safety, how humans have
understood the needs of animals and contemplated them in a reality, the comfort achieved
by animals is seen and achieved through their designs. The ideology behind carrying out
the case studies was to analyze the user experience and how they are treated in a space
created by humans away from their natural habitat. A case study is an important part of
the research carried out in different stages and methods being primary and secondary that
form a qualitative and quantitative basis for the study.
The primary case studies give a practical idea of establishing animal welfare in different
cities with different interventions and ideas whereas with the help of secondary case
studies a base is formed on a larger scale to understand different views and opinions of
the people working for animal welfare. It forms an unbiased theory of how different
animals living in different parts of the world and with different climatic conditions live
up to a simple definition of animal welfare which is to be living in a look-alike
environment of their natural habitat and achieve basic comfort, safety, and health and
barrier-free environment.
4.1.1 Selection of the case studies

The selection criteria for the primary and secondary case study was on identifying places
where animals have been provided the basic requirements to achieve animal welfare. It
was divided into categories that can help form a comparative analysis between ideas
identified by humans to include in their design for animal comfort living. These include:-
Primary case study

Hathigaon, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Secondary case study
Karma Animal shelter, Gurgaon
Michigan animal rescue league
National Zoological Park, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
Panda House Observation Centre, Denmark
4.1.1..1 Table of Case Studies
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Place Type of Types of Strategy/Ma Social and Facilities

animal spaces terial used behavioral provided
to achieve a needs
barrier-free
environment
1 Hathigaon, Elephant Elephant Vernacular To live in Veterinary

Jaipur, Village architecture groups. Clinic
Rajasthan (Stone
Garage with Live nearby Pond
façade,
a large cement a waterbody.
opening Mud bath
flooring) area
inside the
structure
overlooking
the
courtyard.
Sheds
provided at
some places
2 Karma Dog Animal Steel rod Require the Dog shelter

Animal shelter and structure, love and care
shelter, care center brick of a human.
Gurgaon, flooring for Love to live
walkways in human
presence
3 Michigan Dog Animal Full glass for Require the Rescue space
animal shelter and acoustics, love and care
rescue league care center and colorful of a human. Adoption
Kennels, perforated Love to live Medical core
courtyard panels for in human
spaces providing presence Behavioral
with the need support
for airflow Short- and
and a chance long-term
for animals sanctuary
to interact
with Community
potential Education
adopters. for people to
learn about
animal
behavior and
their needs.
4 Michigan Cat Animal Full glass for Require Rescue space

animal shelter and acoustics, spaces with
rescue league care center and colorful no human Adoption
perforated hindrance Medical core
Custom panels for
condos with providing
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the with the need Aggressive Behavioral
arrangement for airflow at times support
of condos in a and a chance
manner that for animals Need a shed Short- and
they face the to interact to rest under long-term
window. with sanctuary
potential Community
Series of
adopters. Education
wood ledges
to provide Wood ledges for the
continuous around the mahout’s
movement kids
room
around the
room.
Sunlit spaces
in the
southern
windows
5 Panda House Pandas Zoo Separate As explained Restaurant

Observation (Mao Sun areas for by David
Indoor- Ring-shaped
Centre, & Xing male and Zahr- BIG
Copenhagen Er) outdoor female Partner, panoramic
Zoo, garden – pandas so pandas are terrace
that they loners by around
Denmark Sheltered
cannot see, nature, and Panda’s
stables for enclosure
pandas to hear or even therefore
hide smell each male and
other until female
the mating pandas are
season. needed to be
kept separate
The until the
separation is mating
done with season which
the help of occurs
the Chinese during mid-
Yin-Yang February and
symbol
mid-May
which
divides the
park into two
parts.
Two forests
were created
– a dense,
mist forest
and a light
green
bamboo
forest
Variety of
rocks
Climbing
trees
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Stream
spread
throughout
the area
Glass frames
Yin-yang
symbol
6 National Mammals Zoo Concrete Different Medical care

zoological used all over wildlife
Birds Open spaces the site to animals have Wildlife
park, Delhi
with thick- create different preservation
Reptiles planted enclosed social and Canteen
vegetation
spaces as behavioral
and fencing. well as requirements Education
Waterbody . Some about
moats.
along with require open wildlife
enclosed Thick spaces, while
spaces planted some require
vegetation covered
Tree barriers gives the
between the shaded
effect of spaces to rest
animals and naturalness
visitors under.
The
Enclosed microclimate
spaces for is created
reptiles and
with trees
birds are and water
fenced to bodies
create a
barrier for Moats are
visitors from used as a
reptiles and primary
birds. barrier
system for
large
enclosures
4.2 Case 1: HATHIGAON, JAIPUR

Relevance of the case study
This case study was found relevant for the research as it focused not only on the design
interventions introduced in a city for achieving animal welfare but also on how humans
and animals can co-exist in a place. The intent behind this primary case study was to
understand how a space can be designed as an animal-friendly environment.
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4.2.1 Introduction and historical context

Hathigaon is a community or housing project situated at the foothills of Amber palace
near Jaipur approximately 5km away from the fort, the project was designed for the
elephants and their caretakers known as Mahouts who have been working in the fort as
tourist guides to provide easy access to travel the long-stretched area of the fort. The
project came into existence when the Rajasthan government organized a competition to
introduce habitable structures for the 100 elephants along with their caretakers to achieve
the physical and psychological comfort of the elephants, won by the RMA Architects
(Rahul Mehrotra Architects) this project started taking shape in the year 2006 and was
completed by 2010.
History
The Gaon was built on land devastated by sand quarry development and over the years,
the wasteland has been slowly transformed by a series of puddles and large-scale
reforestation programs before it was entitled to the construction of Hathigaon. For this
design, the land was redeveloped with existing water bodies on the boundary. Trees were
planted and developed sandpits were turned into reservoirs
Figure 14 Development of land over the years

village/
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4.2.2 Site Study

• Site Context
Location- Jaipur Rajasthan, India
Site area- 88-acre (35-hectare)
Architects- RMA Architects
Typology- Residential
Climate- Hot and dry
Built Year- 2010
Client- Government of Rajasthan
• Site Plan
The entire 88-hectare site is divided into different parts that are connected with the help
of trails and elephant rides. It currently consists of a total of 120 elephants, which are
provided with open spaces, huts, water bodies, and shelters along with residences for
mahouts. The entire site is covered with plantations that create a natural habitat for
elephants. The goal in developing the water bodies was to break down the wall between
mahouts and elephants so that they were not only bound to a covered space but also
bonded with the elephants. The water bodies are mainly used in the morning. There is no
place where you cannot see an elephant while walking on the grounds.
Figure 15 Site Plan

Source: https://www.world-architects.com/zh/rma-architects-mumbai/project/hathigaon-housing-for-
elephants-and-their-mahouts#image-2
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a) Elephant riding trails b) Semi- shaded informal plaza
c) Trees creating a natural habitat for elephants d) Open grounds for elephants
Figure 16 Movement Plan of Elephants

Source: Author
• Planning
The community has an inside-facing structure with a large courtyard in the central part of
the planning. The houses (thans) designed for mahouts are simple structures of an area of
200 square feet and a garage-like structure with only one exit at the back is where the
elephants are kept. These garages have wide openings inside the structure overlooking
the courtyard. This opening allows the Mahouts to interact. The accommodations lead to
a semi-open, always-accessible indoor area that allows the elephants to feel at home.
Elephant
shelter
Courtyard
Residence of Mahouts
Figure 17 a) Cluster plan at Hathigaon b) Plan of Hathi garage

Source: https://www.world-architects.com/zh/rma-architects-mumbai/project/hathigaon-housing-for-
elephants-and-their-mahouts#image-2
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Elephant
shelter
Mahouts Residence
Figure 19 Segregation of elephant garage and mahouts house

Source: Author
Figure 18 sequence showing the minimum space an elephant needs

village/
• Waterbody
The water body is a crucial part of the design as it aids the bonding between mahout and
elephant, which is an important ritual for the health of the elephant as well as their
attachment with their mahouts
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Figure 20 a) Water body at Hathigaon b) Relationship between the open and built form
Source: Author
• Spatial relationship within the built form and open spaces

For every structure built on the grounds of Hathigaon, openings have been an important
aspect in designing shelters for the elephants in such a way that the structure is completely
opened from one end which becomes the entrance, and the roof that is laid above the head
of elephants has not been stitched to the walls but a significant gap has been created
between the both for proper air circulation and light throughout the day, location of each
dwelling is done in such a manner that it allows passive cooling and natural ventilation.
Figure 21 section displaying the passive strategies applied for designing the dwellings in reference to
the surrounding.
Source: https://www.archdaily.com/381679/housing-for-mahouts-and-their-elephants-rma-
architects/51abe148b3fc4b3b0e0000ae-housing-for-mahouts-and-their-elephants-rma-architects-
section
• Other built facilities

The site except for the housing for animals and their mahouts
consists of a veterinary hospital, fodder stores, schools for the
children living with their parents in the village, a guesthouse, and
land for future expansion.
• Movement pattern
The movement pattern of elephants is through pathways Figure 22 Elephant
safari boarding
generated for elephant rides segregated from the pedestrian Source: Author
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pathway created for humans. The site has been used in such a way that the pathways
spread across the whole site surrounding major areas like the elephant’s mud bath area,
elephant lake, thans, etc. that become a tourist attraction while riding. The humans are
allowed to visit the dwellings as well as the semi-open, open, and covered shelters for
elephants. Various activities indulge them with the elephants like feeding and petting
them.
• Analysis
❖ Although the architect has tried to achieve elephants’ welfare by constructing a well-
planned village for them, it still is lacking in achieving the “needs” of elephants. As
per the psychological behavior of elephants, the behavior of elephants is to stay in a
group.
❖ When we look at the clusters of Hathigaon an intentional breakage and barrier are
created among the elephants along with their mahouts.
❖ The only time they are brought near the other elephants is when they go towards the
water body for bathing in the morning.
❖ Most of the elephants are tied inside their shelters throughout the day unless a tourist
ride comes along for a ride.
❖ The whole village has been converted into a revenue-generating space where tourists
visit and stay for elephant rides.
❖ Even though the architect has tried to create no physical or visual barrier on the site
for elephants, the space still lacks interaction among them as the houses placed are
at a huge gap which makes it impossible for the elephants to be around each other all
throughout the day.
❖ Elements of architecture identified by the architect were in favor of climate-
responsive architecture, which provides a microclimate for the space, as also
observed on the site, but there was no proper provision of light inside the elephant
garage, ending up in a dark space at night.
❖ The excrement created by these elephants is kept aside in the garage throughout the
day leading to an unhygienic situation for animals, as there is no proper strategy for
the excretion of animals.
❖ Overall, the design strategies applied have been able to provide shelter to these
elephants that have been lacking earlier but the core understanding for creating their
natural habitat alongside sanitation is still to be practiced.
4.3 Case 3: KARMA ANIMAL SHELTER, SOHNA ROAD, GURGAON

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The purpose of choosing this case study was to understand the psychology of a dog kept
in a shelter and if the spaces designed for them are truly fulfilling the purpose of providing
them with the needed facilities.
4.3.1 Introduction and Historical context
Karma Animal Shelter, located in Sohna, Haryana, required the design of a dog shelter
that will house approximately 100 dogs on a 2-acre site and in the future will repurpose
part of this area to provide the client with a two-bedroom unit. The location of this dog
shelter was away from upscale residential areas, allowing the dogs to be themselves while
staying at the shelter. The design includes a perfect blend of modern design and animal
comfort.
History
In 1995, interior designer and KAF co-founder Mala Sahni Seth began feeding dogs
outside his home in Sector 17, Gurgaon. As the numbers grew, their primary focus
gradually shifted to vaccination, treatment, and contraception of these dogs, which were
routinely subjected to various forms of abuse.
It was to find a home where dogs, especially those with permanent disabilities, could
recover quickly after treatment. So, she took care of the dogs in her own home, and
gradually the need to build another comfortable home for them grew. In the year 2012,
she was able to find land approximately of 2-acre to build a shelter for these animals to
be taken care of when injured and have no place to be.
Figure 23 Dog shelters deigned along with interaction spaces for humans and dog
Source: https://www.mgsarchitecture.in/architecture-design/projects/2517-maze-of-
moulds.html
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4.3.2 Site Study

• Site Context
Location- Sohna Road, Gurgaon, India
Site area- 2 acre
Architects- ANT Studio
Landscape Architects – Reading Grounds
Typology – Dog Shelter
Climate- Composite
Built Year- 2015
Client- Karma Animal Foundation
• Site plan
Brick flooring in
the centre
landscape
Shelter Open
home for grounds
dogs for Dogs
Figure 25 Site plan of Karma animal shelter

Source: http://ant.studio/karma
Access to the roof
Figure 24 a) Internal Planning of Shelter b) Exterior Accessible Roofs of Shelter

Source: a) Author b) http://ant.studio/karma
• Planning
The landscape provided by the shelter was riddled with hills. The built form is inspired
by the site itself and fits seamlessly into the structure of the site. The design of the shelter
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was such that the temporary steel structure mimicked the shape of the hill, making the
shelter seem like an extension of the landscape itself. This design creates the illusion of
uniform topography throughout the site, gradually transforming into a clean line at the
edge of the roof. The central landscape area made up of brick flooring is a gathering space
for people to interact amidst it.
• Dog’s psychological behavior in the environment
Dogs are known to be the friendliest animals and require the love and care of a human
as they provide them with the same. They are prone to live in human presence. Their
aggression outbursts when not treated properly or caught by a disease (common in the
case of stray dogs)
4.4 Case 4: MICHIGAN ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE

The purpose of choosing an international animal shelter was to understand the difference
between the facilities provided to animals in India and internationally. It came to notice
that any shelter in terms of hygiene, sanitation, and spaces to live in was more focused
on in Michigan animal rescue league than a shelter in Delhi or Gurgaon. The difference
between living in a clean sterilized cage and a cage with no sterilization was observed.
Figure 26 Conceptual Michigan Animal Rescue League

Source: https://www.archdaily.com/987699/michigan-animal-rescue-league-ply-plus
44 | P a g e
4.4.1 Introduction and Historical context

The design of the Michigan Animal Rescue
League (MARL) building embodied the central
aim of providing a “different kind of shelter” to
improve the welfare of the animals in their care.
MARL began the project with a detailed
program analysis that identified the company's
need to grow beyond a 5,000-square-foot
Figure 27 Michigan Animal Rescue League
Source: temporary facility into its 15,000-square-foot
https://www.archdaily.com/987699/michigan-
animal-rescue-league-ply-plus facility.
4.4.2 Site Study
• Site Context
Location- Pontiac, United States
Site area- 15260 ft. sq.
Architects- Ply+
Typology- Residential
Climate- Hot and dry
Built Year- 2020
Client- MARL (Michigan Animal Rescue League)
• Planning
The building consists of animal care spaces on a
level and administration underneath the southern
entry. The other facilities in the shelter include a
medical wing. The people working with MARL
identified four design objectives for the care of
animals, which are as followed:-
1. Integration of light for all the animals.
2. Provide freedom of choice in all animal housing
3. Design mechanical systems from a wellness
point of view prioritizing air exchange rates and Figure 28 Building Plan, along with
colors used in the facade.
thermal comfort.
Source:
4. Promote visual connection to the importance of https://www.archdaily.com/987699/m
ichigan-animal-rescue-league-ply-
wellness using color. plus
45 | P a g e
• Planning of dogs and cats chamber
DOG
In dog spaces, the aim of achieving an
adaptable space is the implementation of a
courtyard, a space that can provide natural
light and visual interest which prevents dogs
nose to nose interaction which induces more
Figure 29 Michigan Animal dog care area
stress level was depleted. The kennels were Source:
https://www.archdaily.com/987699/michigan-
also divided into four zones, each with a door animal-rescue-league-ply-plus
to provide acoustic control between zones and

reduce noise levels which is another known cause of increased stress levels for both dogs
and staffEach kennel is custom-made and includes full glass for acoustics and colored
perforated panels to provide the necessary airflow and options for animals to interact with
potential adopters. Health and well-being are further supported by high levels of fresh air
exchange and underfloor heating, ensuring energy efficiency and excellent thermal
comfort.
CAT
The spaces designed for cats are custom condos that
allow these cats freedom of movement and choice of
several seating patterns. The condos are placed in
such a way that they allow the cats a window view
and when they are permitted to roam freely around,
wooden ledges are laid out in a series to provide them
with a continuous movement around the room along Figure 30 Spaces designed for cats
Source:
with sunlit spaces near the southern windows. https://www.archdaily.com/987699/
michigan-animal-rescue-league-ply-
Behavioral response of cat plus
A cat's natural behavior is to move freely and unhindered. They are known for their
aggressive behavior displayed when forced to be in a restricted environment. The design
adaptation for cats in this shelter was to create spaces for cats with different levels of
seating, with comfort in mind, to create play areas along with beds to sleep on
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Figure 31 Resting Spaces designed for cats

Source: https://www.archdaily.com/987699/michigan-animal-rescue-league-ply-plus
4.5 Case 4: A BRIEF ANALYSIS OF PANDA HOUSE OBSERVATION ZOO,

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, AND NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK, DELHI
PANDA HOUSE OBSERVATION NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK,

ZOO, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK DELHI
Site Plan Site Plan
Figure 32 Site Plan Figure 33 Site Plan

Source: https://www.dezeen.com/2017/03/27/big- Source:
yin-yang-shaped-panda-house-copenhagen-zoo/ https://nzpnewdelhi.gov.in/zoo_map?ln=en
47 | P a g e
SITE CONTEXT SITE CONTEXT

Location- Denmark Location- Delhi
Site area- 24505 ft. sq. Site area- 176 acre
Architects- Bjarke Ingles Group Architects- Frederick Law Olmstead
Typology- Zoo Typology- Zoo
Built Year- 2019 Built Year- 1959
Purpose Purpose
It is an indoor-outdoor garden created for The aim of the government behind this zoo
the two pandas brought as a gift from was to enrich the environment for animals.
China named Mao Sun and Xing Er. To enhance their quality of life. To
It is a two-forest created ground where preserve species and reduce human-
one demonstrates a dense, mist forest and animal conflicts in the urban landscape.
the other depicts a light green bamboo Strategies like micro-climate around the
forest. animal’s space have been created along
The BIG architects have tried to change with thick planted vegetation to give an
the essence of a zoo into a place where the effect of naturalness. Concrete is used to
create an indoor space for animals like
animals are not disturbed by human
movement and feel as if they are in their tigers, and lions to protect them from the
sun.
natural environment
Analysis Analysis
The center designed by the BIG The analysis of the national zoological
Architects for the two pandas has tried to park was that the area of this zoo is large
understand the nature of pandas in an and hence not every space around animals
environment, what are their requirements, is catered properly. Many cages for
and how they live. The two spaces that example for a fox were unhygienic and no
were created with the help of a Yin Yan care for micro-climate was seen. There
sign to separate the two pandas before were large enough open spaces for animals
they meet for the mating season were well to move around freely along with greenery
studied by the partner of BIG Architects to feel their natural. A visual barrier that
Ar. David Zahr. They implemented the should be there between animals and
psychology of pandas being a loner into humans for animals to feel safe and
the design and provided two possible comfortable in their environment is
living scenarios for them. The design has nowhere seen in this zoo and is generally
also minimized the interaction of humans never practiced in any zoo. Therefore, to
with pandas in a way that visitor make zoos a part of animal welfare one has
experiences take place around circular to keenly look into the psychology of
enclosures and down sloping paths to gain animals and architecturally enrich the
insight into the work of zoo staff, spaces for them.
veterinarians, and gardeners. This type of
analysis can help architecture achieve
animal welfare by designing spaces for
animals’ comfort and safe environment.
4.6 Conclusion
The case studies encountered catered to different animals who carry different needs of
animal welfare achieved through architecture. For example, the primary case study of
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Hathigaon was about how animals were taken care of who have been part of society for
a very long time for human needs by providing them with a village that can bring these
elephants together in a single space as close replica as to their natural habitat. Whereas in
the secondary case studies, when animal shelters were observed and studied an
understanding was built that animals like cats and dogs have a habit of being in a space
that maintains their connection with humans. Their definition of animal welfare is their
interdependence with humans and spaces where they can move freely. Through other
secondary case studies, animals like pandas and other wild creatures found in a zoo have
a basic need of being close to their natural environment for their survival and comfort.
What is understood from the above case studies is that different animals have different
definitions of animal comfort which can be catered through architecture by designing
spaces for them by understanding their psychological and physical behavior. More or less,
architecture has attempted over the years to delineate and develop design strategies that
can provide comfort to animals in order to achieve animal welfare, but the fundamentals
for animal enrichment which are environmental, habitat, sensory, food, and social still
lack in many zones.
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CHAPTER-5
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
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5 CHAPTER 5: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

5.1 Introduction
The accumulated data and the key points taken away from the case studies were that
animals are a vital part of society in each corner of the world and that they should not be
deprived of their basic needs which are comfort, health, and safety. Architecture is not
just about understanding the psychology of the human mind, it is about understanding the
user, in this case, animals being the unheard voices. Their psychological and physical
behavior cannot be neglected. A tangible intangible interrelation should be formed
between the built environment and the animals, the data collected helped in establishing
a mindset that has been followed by various architects and people while defining the
relationship of animals with space. Similarly, it also helped in answering the questions
that arose about the welfare of animals in the strategies followed by the architects.
5.2 Strengths and limitations of the collected data

Any built or open environment is designed for the experience of the user which is animals
in this case. The collected data has its own strengths and limitations which became a key
in answering the critical questions of the research “The role of architecture in achieving
animal welfare”.
5.2.1 Strengths
The data collected is a result of substantial research on the topic. The collected data is
organized in a structured manner from defining various definitions to laying out different
implementations of architecture on the topic including the challenges and benefits.
• The data collected with the help of case studies is resourceful and reliable as it is
authentic.
• The data provided facts that were unknown to the researcher, which helped in
understanding and analyzing critical enquires of the research.
• The direct interaction with the people working for such organizations and shelters
through case studies opened up the psychological, physiological, and behavioral
needs of the animals required for the research.
5.2.2 Limitations
The data collected for this research was purely on the ideologies and findings of humans
on animal psychological, physiological, social, environmental, and behavioral needs. The
direct relation of animals with the built environment cannot be recorded due to an
inarticulate communication barrier. The qualitative data collected was based on the
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observations of the author and the available studies on the internet therefore; it is
somehow a perspective data collection.
5.3 Visual representation of the data

5.3.1 Survey/ questionnaire
Response Collected
Do you think animal-human interaction and co-

dependency are important?
Do you think NGOs and shelters are the only way for
achieving animal welfare?
Do you think there should be legal laws for adapting

an architecturally designed built environment for
stray animals? (Stray dogs, cats, cattle, animals in
zoos)
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Do you think animal behavior is dependent on the

kind of space they are living in?
Where do you think the animal is more comfortable

in the below-mentioned pictures?
What according to you is a more sanitized space for

living conditions for animals?
What according to you is a preferred space for

animals to be in as shown in the pictures? Choose
one.
A) no natural light, space, B) open space for animals

and ventilation
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5.3.2 Case studies: Comparative analysis
Place Infrastructu Pictorial Animal Positive Negative

re representatio Behavioral
n Response/
Interaction
with
humans
Hathigaon, A garage area Elephants A common Barrier

Jaipur acts as a prefer to live space for constructed
resting space in a group. In humans and between the
for elephants. hathigaon, elephants to elephants
there is a be together
Artificial Unhygienic
segregation and bond.
waterbody for garages
of living
elephants’ Provision of
spaces for
interaction as a waterbody
them in order
well as with and open–
to keep them
their built
with their
mahouts. environment
mahouts.
interrelations
Open grounds
Tourists visit hip
to assemble a
the village
few of the
for rides.
elephants.
Karma Hill-roof- Dogs have a Large open Veterinary

Animal shaped behaviour of grounds for care lacking
Shelter, structures being with dogs to move hygiene
Gurgaon along with humans thus freely
cages human
Spacious
interaction
Large open shelter and
becomes a
mud grounds interaction
vital part of
for dogs to be spaces for
their living.
free to roam better dog-
This shelter
around. human
provides
interaction
facilities for
adoption;
people can
come, visit
and feed the
dogs.
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Michigan Kennels Daily A clean, safe ------------------

Animal made up of activities environment
Rescue full glass for include for dogs and
League, acoustics and socialization cats along
Pontiac colored with humans with spaces
perforated and with provided
panels dogs and according to
cats. People their
Custom
come and behavioral
condos,
interact with response.
perforated
the animals
panels, and
so that they
wood panels
can adopt
at different
them.
levels for
them to be
able to climb
and maintain
a movement
all throughout
the day
National Large open Animal- Large open Used as a

Zoological green spaces human spaces for Revenue
Park, New create a interaction is some generation
Delhi naturalness in not direct but animals like space.
the is restricted dear
The natural
environment with the help
habitat that is a
of fencings.
Micro- basic necessity
Animals
climate is of any animal
have been
created in a built
kept in cages
alongside all environment- a
so they do
the animal’s sense of
not harm
zone. belongingness
people.
is missing
Dark dingy
spaces for
some animals
like fox, birds,
etc.
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Panda Two different An unnatural Garden Pandas

House forests look barrier has designed surrounded by
Observation alike with been keeping in humans
Centre, one being a provided mind the creates a
Denmark dense, mist from where needs of a feeling of been
forest and the the pandas panda in a caged inside a
light green cannot see space. restricted
bamboo humans and environment
The two
forest the humans
conceptual
cannot have
garden
a direct
allows the
interaction
two panda to
with the
be in their
pandas. The
natural
architect has
habitat
done so to
provide the
animals with
a feeling of
their natural
habitat.
5.4 Cause and effect relationship

The role of architecture in animal welfare is dependent on understanding animal
psychology in a built and open environment as derived in the literature review as well.
5.4.1 A village for the elephants: Hathigaon, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Idea: To build a village for the elephants of Jaipur serving tourism in Amber Fort.
Realization of the idea (Cause): An amalgamation of open and built space with respect
to the habitat of elephants. It has become a revenue generation center for the mahouts and
the initial aim of this place was to provide shelters for the elephants has somehow been
achieved but they are still deprived of a comfortable and healthy environment.
Effect: The garage-like structure created for the elephants has been acting as a barrier
between the elephants, they seem to interact only at a certain point of the day otherwise
kept in the garages with their mahouts or taken out for tourist rides. The garages lack
hygiene with no proper space located for them to eat, their dung and food are kept
alongside creating a foul environment.
5.4.2 Maze of moulds: Karma Animal Shelter, Gurgaon

Idea: To build an animal shelter due to the increasing population of stray dogs in the
vicinity and provide them with the required treatment, care, and shelter.
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Realization of the idea (Cause): The idea was evoked when the owner of Karma animal
shelter Mala Sahni Seth adopted a stray dog and realized the importance of shelter for
these animals along with their vaccinations and treatment. To create a safe, healthy, and
clean open and built environment for them.
Effect: The shelter has been working towards providing them with a built environment
as well as open grounds where they are provided with the required treatment and
vaccinations. Most of the place in the property has been left as an open space for the
animals to not be restricted in a built environment and be able to move freely.
5.4.3 Shelter for the dogs and cats: Michigan Animal Rescue League
Idea: To provide shelter, treatment, and rehabilitation center for cats and dogs. It also
acts as a place for lost pets to be reunited with their families. To provide cage-free
environment for the animals.
Realization of the idea (Cause): The cause for this organization was to provide shelter to
rescued, stray animals who have been lost and separated from their families.
Effect: The activities conducted there include guests enjoying their time with the dogs
and cats with open spaces to be free at least once a day. The animals have not just been
provided with shelters to be in but their medical, and behavioral care is also taken.
5.4.4 Panda House Observation Zoo, Copenhagen, Denmark

Idea: The pandas were relocated from Chengdu, China to the queen of Denmark as a gift.
Realization of the idea (Cause): After the pandas were brought to Denmark, the
government wanted to create a replica of the state they were living in China. Replicating
that the BIG Architects designed the area as two different gardens including a bamboo
forest and a more, dense misty forest.
Effect: The sheltered stables with a variety of rocks, climbing trees, basins, streams, and
bamboo fill the rest of the space making it a habitable, comfortable living space for the
pandas despite them being away from their natural habitat and country.
5.4.5 The birth of zoos: National Zoological Park, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
Idea: To provide shelters for animals and exploit them as a source of revenue generation
Realization of the idea (Cause): The idea that initially began as an initiative to enhance
the quality of life for animals and preserve species led to animals being away from their
natural habitat for human entertainment and revenue generation.
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Effect: The natural habitat created with the help of creating micro-climate did not provide
the feeling of naturalness as they were still caged as compared to their lives in a forest
where they are free to roam here humans were the ones being free to watch and entertain
themselves with these animals.
5.5 Final Comments

The study so far has helped in accomplishing and understanding that the spaces designed
for animals can be comfortable, safe, and healthy if architectural interventions are
inculcated properly. The spaces designed set the mood of the user be it a human or animal.
The experience of the animals can change how we design and replicate it for them as
studied in the case study of Panda House Observation Center, Denmark, it despite being
a part of the zoos, which in general may lack the true significance of animal welfare as
the animals are in a cage. The spaces designed such are the bamboo and misty forest have
made the space livable, comfortable and it is according to their psychological and physical
needs. Similarly, animals can have habitable built environments in a variety of spaces,
taking into account factors such as user needs, climate, location, and behavior that are
considered when designing any space. The enrichments considered in the chapter 1 of the
research for defining the importance of architecture in animal welfare such as
environmental enrichment, habitat enrichment, sensory enrichment, food enrichment, and
social enrent if adapted properly in the designed spaces for animals can generate a good
experience as well as can play a vital role in enhancing the welfare of animals.
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CHAPTER-6
CONCLUSION
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6 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION
6.1 Summary
Previous research on the role of architecture in achieving animal welfare through
literature reviews and case studies has identified architecture gaps and achievements in
this area. This chapter provides an analysis of the hypotheses and research questions
raised at the start of the study.
The role of architecture in achieving animal welfare can be practiced anywhere despite
the building being specially designed for animals as concluded by the concepts of animal
aided designs. As well as explored in the literature study clause 2.2.4 of Chapter 2, “Pols
of Ahmedabad”, the emphasis was laid on providing animal-welcoming features on
building façades such as chabutras for birds, sitting and resting spaces for dogs and cows.
These elements induced in designing spaces for animals should provide them with the
minimum of comfort, safety, and a healthy environment. Similarly, in case study clause
4.2 of Chapter 4, “Hathigaon” was a village designed especially for the elephants and
then their mahouts so that they are kept in a safe and healthy environment along with the
people taking care of them.
The animal shelters designed for stray animals can only fulfill the bare minimum
requirements of animals such as shelter and food; they lack hygiene and a healthy
environment for them. However, with better design features these spaces can turn out to
be a more vital solution for the coexistence of animals with humans.
The small ideas can help change the perspective of the animal environment for people.
As also studied in clause 4.6 of Chapter 4, making zoos green and open like how “BIG
Architects” did for Panda Observation House, Denmark by creating an unseen barrier
between the Pandas and humans such that they both are in their habitable environment
not affected and bothered by each other.
The true meaning of animal welfare would be to achieve and design spaces for animals
that can provide them shelter, make them interact with humans, and clear the perceptions
of humans that animals are a harm to society. It can be achieved even in zoos if the right
maintenance and time-to-time care are provided to these animals as the moto of any zoo
is to preserve the species which comes under their welfare of them. It can also be achieved
in a society just like studied in the literature study of Pols of Ahmedabad where the people
took an initiative to create spaces around their homes for animals.
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6.1.1 The Central Claim

The guiding belief of the study is the implementation of architectural practices in order
to provide comfort, health, and a safe built, and open environment for animal welfare.
The hypothesis of the research is to claim the importance of the role of architecture in
achieving animal welfare.
6.1.2 Recapitulation of Research Question and its Significance

➢ Can these spaces be designed in a way to accomplish a better, more comfortable,
safe, and adaptable environment for animals?
➢ Can these spaces result in a better human-animal relationship?
The research questions aimed at analyzing the problem with the spaces designed for
animals. In order to understand and establish a relationship between the built environment
and the animals acquiring the space. To understand if the relationship between animals
and humans can be achieved.
6.1.3 Answer the research questions and hypothesis
A) The central claim

All that has been done so far and all that has to be done in the field of architecture for
animals in ways of zoos, conservational parks, shelters, hotels for animals, etc. provide a
belief that the role of architecture is important in achieving animal welfare.
In the research paper “Architecture for animals: the expanding challenges of

sustainability” by Rheza Maulana author clearly stated that architecture can be utilized
primarily for the animals where it is essential to enhance good health and well-being of
animals and related it to one big factor essential i.e. BUILT ENVIRONMENT. The author
related the built environment with “form follows function” and that each building
designed for animals should reach the minimum requirement of comfort, safety and
health.
B) Research question
Architecture has a significant role in uplifting the surrounding of animals more than that
it has been about replicating their natural habitat in their present living situations. The
architecture practiced lacks a sense of connectivity between the animals and the built
environment. In many cases, the architects have adapted methods to create a comfortable
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environment for animals as mentioned earlier in Clause 4.6, the Panda House Observation
Centre, Denmark. On the contrary, the spaces such as animal shelters in India have
succeeded in achieving the aim of providing animals with a shed to find shelter, care, and
treatments but the agenda of providing them with a comfortable, healthy, and sanitized
space is still lacking.
➢ Can these spaces be designed in a way to accomplish a better, more comfortable,
safe, and adaptable environment for animals?
The basic requirement of designing any built environment is, to provide the user with a
comfortable, safe and adaptable environment. In the case of animals, a space where they
do not feel trapped or captivated away from their natural built environment. Spaces such
as shelters, zoos, animal centers, and animal villages can have a new understanding of
spaces designed for animals in such a way that the shelters can have spaces that are more
open and built spaces with a cleaner environment keeping the anthropometrics of animals
in mind.
➢ Can these spaces result in a better human-animal relationship?
The term known as animal-aided design is about designing spaces that include the needs
of animals from the start of any project. Animals like a dog, have a nature of staying
among humans and receiving love and affection. Similarly, wild animals in zoos would
rather be in spaces designed closer to their natural habitat. It is inferred that these spaces
can result in a better human-animal relationship if the needs of animals are considered.
While designing a shelter focus on designing open areas and built environments where
there are interaction spaces for humans to see for themselves whom they can adopt.
Similarly, while designing a space like Hathigaon (discussed in the previous chapters) the
concept of the architect was to design a village for the elephants and their mahouts so that
they can bond well together and have a shed over their heads. It was not the only main
aim but to also apply passive strategies to achieve the goal.
6.2 Research Inference and its Significance

Animals are found to be in their best state when they are provided with proper
nourishment, care, treatment, and most important of all; a built environment. The spaces
they adapt to play a significant role in how their psychological, physiological, and
behavioral needs are molded. It, therefore, becomes important for architects to design
spaces that imply architectural interventions in those spaces for achieving animals’
welfare.
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The inferences drawn through various case studies and literature studies for the benefit of
research are:
• Animals being a major part of society, people should have an understanding of

what animal welfare and animal architecture are and how we can use it to form a
clear vision of their spatial, psychological and behavioral needs.
• Animal shelters play a vital role in providing spaces for animals so that they are
protected from the abuse, danger, and fear caused due to any accident or some
reason therefore these spaces should be well designed, well lit, ventilated, and
open.
• Increased urbanization has made animals an essential and protectable resource for
sustaining life cycles. Which concludes that the spaces designed for animals
should not be restricted to NGOs and shelters as also inferred by the responses to
questionnaire and case studies in Chapter 5.
• Spaces such as zoos over the period have evolved into spaces where animals are
kept so that their living can be enhanced through various architectural elements
like creating a microclimate. In addition, it is not a place for human entertainment
instead, it should be a well-designed space for animals to be treated and kept so
that their quality of life is enhanced and not degraded.
The inferences drawn from the research have helped the research process as it is now
established that architecture plays a significant role in achieving animal welfare as they
help in creating a conducive living environment for the animal where they do not feel
captivated and it is not about designing grand spaces or dark dingy spaces but about
creating a memory for the animals to feel close to their natural habitat. That can be shelter
homes designed with more open spaces and cages with proper light and ventilation along
with hygiene kept in mind or a zoo where the agenda is to provide a quality of life for
animals who are needed to be treated or protected and not showcased in front of people
for revenue generation purposes. Any building that does not meet the bare minimum of
what is required to provide animals with a safe environment will have an impact on the
animal’s physical, psychological and physiological behavior. Therefore, meeting the
needs of it becomes vital for the architects and the people maintaining the spaces used.
6.3 The future Research Possibilities
The research can be helpful to those who have interest in identifying the architecture
practiced for animals comfort, safety and health in India and how it is different from any
65 | P a g e
other country. In future, the research can be carried forward about how animals perceive
a built environment a briefer analysis of forming a relationship between humans and
animals though a space without causing hindrance in the habits and environment of both.
Another future possibility for the research is the study of conservation parks and their
ideologies to be adapted in other built environments for animals living in urban areas.
The research can expand in understanding the parameters of the animal comfort and
understanding in specific details of architectural interventions.
The research can be used as a secondary source of information for any individual seeking
knowledge in the particular field.
6.4 The future Research projects
• Animal- aided design an initiative for designing spaces for animals

• Cremation grounds for animals
• Redevelopment of zoos into spaces for animals
• Study of animal spaces through an architectural perspective
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APPENDIX
A questionnaire was formed for analyzing people’s opinions on how they perceive the
actual meaning of animal welfare and how architecture can play a role in achieving it.
The answers recorded were discussed and analyzed in the above chapters. There were in
total 9 questions.
1. Do you think animal and human interaction and co-dependency important?

• Yes
• No
• Maybe
2. Do you think NGOs and shelters are the only way for achieving animal welfare?
• Yes
• No
• Maybe
3. Do you think there should be legal laws for adapting an architecturally designed built
environment for stray animals? (Stray dogs, cats, cattle, animals in zoos)
• Yes
• No
• Maybe
4. Do you think animal behavior is dependent on the kind of space they are living in?
• Yes
• No
• Maybe
5. Do you think humans deliberately lack empathy for animals because they do not see
them as a part of society?
• Yes
• No
• Maybe
6. Is the role of architecturally well-designed spaces important for animal welfare?
• Yes
• No
• Maybe
7. Where do you think the animal is more comfortable?
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• A
• B
• None
8. What according to you is a more sanitized space?
• A
• B
• None
9. What according to you is preferred space for animals to be in?
• A
• B
• None
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Bibliography
Research Papers:
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Maulana, R., 2018. Architecture for animals: the expanding challenges of sustainable
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Role of Architecture in Achieving Animal Welfare

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Role of Architecture in Achieving Animal Welfare

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DISSERTATION REPORT

Role of Architecture in Achieving Animal Welfare

SUBMITTED BY: GUIDED BY:

GATEWAY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND

GATEWAY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND

Ar, Anand Dhote Ar. Vinod Patel

Signature of the Guide Signature of the coordinator

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ (03-09)

1.1 Introduction and Background

1.2 Definitions and Meaning of the Important Parameters

1.3 Significance of the project

1.4 Research question(s)

1.5 The Central Claim/ Hypothesis

1.6 The Aim and Objectives of the Research

1.7 The Scope and Limitations of the Research

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................ (11-23)

2.1 Purpose of Literature Review

2.2 Categorization of Literature

2.3 Collating the Literature Review: The Final Understanding

CHAPTER 3: METHODS AND METHODOLOGY........................................ (25-30)

3.2 Method(s) opted for Data Collection with Justification

3.3 Method(s) opted for Data Analysis with Justification

3.4 Advantages and Limitations of the method(s) adopted

CHAPTER 4: CASE STUDY DATA PRESENTATION .................................. (31-49)

4.2 Case 1: Hathigaon, Jaipur

4.3 Case 2: Pols Of Ahmedabad

4.4 Case 3: Karma Animal Shelter, Sohna Road, Gurgaon

4.5 Case 4: Michigan Animal Rescue League

CHAPTER 5: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION ................................................ (47-55)

5.2 Strengths and limitations of the collected data

5.3 Visual representation of the data

5.4 Cause and effect relationship

5.5 Final Comments

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION ............................................................................. (61-66)

6.1.1 The Central Claim

6.1.2 Recapitulation of Research Question and its Significance

6.1.3 Answer the research questions and hypothesis

6.2 Research Inference and its Significance

6.3 The future Research Possibilities

6.4 The future Research projects

Bibliography .......................................................................................................... (69-70)

Figure 1: Animal Welfare ............................................................................................. (4)

Figure 2: Co-relation of animals and humans ............................................................... (5)

Figure 3: divided relationship between Humans and Animals ................................... (6)

Figure 4: Examples of Animal Architecture a) swift tower, project: menthol architects

Figure 5: Maze of Moulds........................................................................................... (17)

Figure 6: Panda House Observation Center, Denmark ............................................... (18)

Figure 9: Hathigaon, Jaipur ......................................................................................... (20)

Figure 10: Hathigaon, Jaipur (section) ....................................................................... (21)

Figure 11: Birds Apartment, Jaipur ............................................................................ (21)

Figure 12: Five Freedom of Animals .......................................................................... (22)

Figure 14: Development of land over the years .......................................................... (36)

Figure 15: Site Plan ..................................................................................................... (37)

Figure 16: Movement Plan of Elephants..................................................................... (38)

Figure 22: Elephant safari boarding .......................................................................... (22)

Figure 24: Site plan of Karma animal shelter ............................................................. (43)

Figure 26: Conceptual Michigan Animal Rescue League ......................................... (44)

Figure 27: Michigan Animal Rescue League ............................................................. (45)

Figure 29: Michigan Animal dog care area ................................................................ (46)